Lesteb l



L. L. CARTER. olL, GAS, AND WATER sEPARATR. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. |921.

1,426,955, Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

PATENT OFFICE.

` LESTER L. CARTER, F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

OIL, GAS, AND WATER SEPARATOR.

' Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

Application led November 7, 1921. Serial No. 513,480.

l To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Lnsrnn L. CARTER, a citizen of the' United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county ci San Francisco and State of California, have invented n a new and useful Improvement in Gil, Gas,

and Water Separatore, of which the followf tion. Where oil and' water are produced under pressure by an oil well, there is great danger of their becoming emulsified and the emulsions so produced are often very difcult to resolve into their component parts.

his emulsification most often occurs whenA the water and oil are together forced byseparatin'g the Huid into its constituent parts while still under practically full well pressure and by `relieving the pressure on the component parts separately;

Many previous inventors have providedv separators for oil and gas in whichl a definite amount of oil is held in a separating chamber, this amount being regulated by a float carried in thel chamber, and controlling a valve through which the oil isl allowed to escape whenever thel level of the lfluid *be-- comes high enough to raise the float and thus open the' valve. Such devices are troublesome, as itis ldifficult tov keep the oat'tight Since both theoat andthe valve are either in lthe lseparating chamber, or immediately adjacent thereto.l

A further object'of my' invention is to provide an apparatus in which the moving parts are not in theseparating chamber, but are so locatedas to'be easily accessible for inspection and repair. -So far as I am aware, I am the rst to provide a device which will remove the water and gas from the oil coming from an oil well, while this oil is still under pressure and which will operate entirely automatically under practical conditions.

Further objects and advantages will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring tothe drawing, illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a cross section showing a diagrammaticform of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section through one of the oil and water traps used in practicing my invention. y

In the form of my invention, shown in the drawing, 11is a casing head offan oil well which delivers oil, gas and water, under pressure, through a pipe 12 into a separating chamber 13. In the separating chamber 13 theVV oil and water stratii'y, the water settling in the lower portion ofthe chamber and the oil floating on top of the water. The gas escapes from the oil into the upper part of the separating chamber 13. For the purpose of maintaining a definite liquid level in the .chamber 13, I provide an outlet pipe 14 which delivers oil` into'an oil trap 15, throughv an opening 16.

The ltrap 15 consists of a body 2O and a cover 21. An apron 22 extends downwardly inside ay central cavity formed in the body, as shown in Fig. 2; Pivoted at 23 is a pan 24, which is open at the top. An outlet pipe 25 sticks down inside the 'pan 24, a valve seat 26 being secured in the upper portion of the pipe 25. 'A valve 27 is carried on a valve stem 28, which is pivoted at 29 in the pan 24. When the valve 27 is lowered from its seat, fluid may escape through an opening 30 into a hood 31 which' is connected with a passage l32 which, in turn, connects to an outlet pipe 33.

The' trap V15 operates in the following manner: It discharges liquid through the pipe 25, but will not v discharge gas. This will be better-understood from the following description of its operation. With the parts in the positio'nshown in Fig-2, any oil admitted to the opening 16 passes vinto the bottom'of' the central cavity, tending to floatthe pan 24, 'which seats the valve 27. Any additionalT liquid which may be admitted into the trap simply assists in this floating action and-closes the valve tighter until such a time as the trap issufiiciently full'to overflow into the pan 24. Whenever this occurs, the pan fills and sinks, opening the valve 27. lThe internal pressure of the trapv then which is 'for the level of the inlet end of ther pipe '14.; The' trolled by a valvel 42 is connected around` causes the duid Yto flow through the pipe25,

this fluid being takenifrom inside. :the pan v24. Beforethe pan is entirely empty it is again floated, thusv closing-thefval-ve27.

The trap 15, therefore, tends to discharge periodicallypand topractically maintain the evel ofthe liquid in the chamber 13 at about interior. of the trap 15 is connected to the topofjthe chamber 13 by means of a gas equalizingpipe 40. A bypass pipe'coni the trap 15, which discharges through pipes 43 and 440, into the top` of an auxiliaryseparator45'. l

The lower portiono the separating chamber 13 is connected'through ,ya pipe 5,()v with a standpipej`51,ewhich projects lntoa water separating hamber 52..4 The` upper end 53,

ofthe pipe '51, is slightly lower than the.

` iuidlevel inthe chamber 13. The water y. which 'collects in the bottom of thechamber 13 flowsupwardly intherpipe" 51,]but the,

waterbeingsomewhat 'heavier than oil, the waterinvthevpipe` willnot overflow'the upper edgev5y3 until SuCha time as there. is

considerable. accumulation ofwaterin the chamber13. In other Awords,if thechamber reo A y which takes oiffwater througha pipe 56 from l.. asfast. .as `it collects inthe; chamber 52, with out permitting gas to escape.

the lowenportion of the ,chamber 52 andfdelivers it through a pipe `57 into -a suitable drain.l The water trapf55 isa duplicate of` theoiltrap V15,.and. serves to draw off water drawolffpipe .is provided a valye .1 594 for withdrawing sediment from. the chamber-.13 andia similar pipe 60,;provided with.a,valve-61, is :provided atthebottom ofthe pipe; 51,. A` waterglassj 62; isprovided forI the chamber `1X3 anda similar watergl-ass 63isprovided for i the i chamber` .52. Gras withdrawn.- from the tcp Offthef chamber 13 through-1a pipe 70, .which `communicates ,with

audi-@wrath having.- a-gauge '7.4, ande plat 7 5; which, has a. small. hole therein;v this hole being sogsmall-ythat a considerableslossgot pressureftakes place vwheneven the ,gas flows therethroughlin such.- quantities as the well produces.1 IThe .lowerp portion of. .the cham,-

ber'71" isconnected through a pipe 7 6 with the upper portion of the second eupansion c chamber 72, `andlower portion of the chamber 72 is connected through a pipe77 with i i the iup'per port-ion of the chamber 73.

istaken offv from the chamber 73 throughy a pipe 80, gas also being deliveredfthrough a pi e 81 from the chamber 45. Since aconsi'dbrable' expansiontakes place in chambers 71, 72 and 73, drain pipes 85 are providedin the lower end of these chambers for. removing any condensates which `may collect therein'. c

" The oil passing through thepipe the chamber 4,5A isdelivered on'to'a spreader cone 90 which is smaller in diameter than the interior of .the chamber 45.` The' oil Gasl'n, l

passes downwardly through the chamber 4 5 Y being held on the inner walls of the chamber 45 by lower cones 91 and 92.v The cones `91,

92 and 93 are 'supportedy by a `pipe94 yclosed at the top,` and open at the bottom `andfhaying perora'tions 95 just below the conesy90 and91.y The, gas released from theoil passin g downwardly in a thin film over the inner walls of `the chamber gives upyit's glas and vapors' which `pass into the pipe `94`through the open lowery end or through the perfora` tions 95,. This gas or vapor is then delivered to. the pipe 81.

The. oil in the chamber 45 maintainedy at `about'the level kof a gauge `glass 96 by means of anoutletpipe 97 whichmconn'ects into al trap 98 which is similar in contruc tion tothe trap shown in Fig. 2. Sediment or water may be drawn off from the" chamber 45 through a pipe 99, thev level of this water or sediment being indicated by agauge glass 100.4k The top of the `trap98 isconnected to the top `of thechal'nber 45 through appe.

101 which equalizes the gas, pressure betweellirk the topof the trap and the chamber.

1f the pressure. orfy the well is low the.

chamber 45 maybe dispensed `with but where the wellfpressureis high a .real increase in economy is attained. lhforlexample, the

' pressureV in the chamberk 13 isv 250 pounds persquare inchuandthis pressure isfr'educed to say 2O pounds per square, inch in the chamber 45, it, is evident `thatl a complete separation of `thegas cannot take placefin the. chamber 1.3 as many of ythe .valuabley constituentslofthe oil area liquid atatmospheric temperatures and a pressure 0h25() "pounds per,` square inch. v Upon releasing this pressure these c constituents, expand` into a gas orvapor kwhichwould. escapefrom the oil in the. :storagel tanks `,if the pipe `.44 ,led

directly theretd By passing-the` oil :with f itsincluded gases and vapors `into `the chamber 45 .and separating thelgases and vapors fromthe oil inthat chamber, Lnot onlysave these valuable; gasesor-vapors but alsoreduce `the llife and `fire,hazard about the,V `iinalstora ge tanks. Where .the .Welllvproduces siltgor line sand 1 am able to separate water'from the chamber 52. Bythe use of the plates 75.v I amable to cause practically all of the yfall in pressure'to take place in the orifices thereof, so that vthe interiors of kthe traps 15 and 55 and the chambers 13 and 52 are maintained `at or near well pressure. The 'gas is finally delivered-throughthe pipe 80 to suitable storage or to a; gasoline. tower.

automatically lseparate the water and gas `from the oil7 while .the oil'is still under1 Apressure, also reducing the pressure ot'I the. gas vto practical values without danger of emul- .sific'ation v l v I claim as my invention e 1. A device for "separating gas from a mixturefotgas and liquid. which comprises -wallsl forming a separating chamber, .into which .the mixture is delivered; and in which the gas isallowed to escape from the liquid; means forwithdrawing gas fromsai chamber and reducing the pressure thereof; 'a trap into which liquid from said cham-ber is delivered l; meansin `said trap for preventing gas from` blowing therethrough; and means for allowing liquid to escape' from Vsaidgas trap whenever a definite amount collects therein.` l

2. A device for separating water and gas vfrom Aa mixture of water, gas, and oil as produced-by ian oil well, comprising: walls forrfiing a senaratinO chamber in which lsaid water and oil are.: allowed to stratifv, and in ywhich said isallowed to escape from' said liquids; means for withdrawing oil from said- .chamber to 'maintain the .level thereof within certain limits; means `for withdrawingl water from-saidchamber whenever theflevel of said water exceeds a certain limit.

3. A device for separating water and gas` rating chamber, said pipe projecting into.

liythe use ot my apparatus, I'am'able to said water outlet chamber to a point'alittle below thev predetermined level. of oil in said separating chamber;- and .means for with .drawing water from safidwater outlet chamber. whenever the level of water therein eX- ceeds a predetermined value.

4t. device for separating water and gas from a `mixture of water, gas;'and oil asproduced by an oil well, comprisingr. walls formingl a separating `chamber in which said water and oil are allowed to stratify, andi-'n which said gas 1s allowed to escape from sai d liquids; means for withdrawingr oil from said chamber to' maintain the level ,thereof` within certain limits: for maintalnmg substantially the full pressure of said well vin said chambers; and means for withdrawving water from saldi chamber whenever the level of said water exceeds' a certain limit.`

5. A device for separating water and gas' from a mixture of water, gasandoil as vproduced by an oil well, comprising: walls `forming a separating chamberinvwhich said -water and oilare allowedto'stratif and-in which said gas is allowedl to escape from said liquids; means for withdrawingfoil from said chamber to maintain the level thereof within certain limits; means `tor maintaining substantially'cthe fullpressure of said well in said'chambers; `wells forminga.:. chamber .having its: upper portion 1n `open d communication with. the l.upperportion. .of said separating chamber; afppe in open' communication with the lower portion of said separating chamber said pipe projecting into said water outlet chamber to a point a little below the predetermined ylevel ot oil in said separating chamber; rand means for withdrawing water from said water outlet chamber, whenevery the level of water therein exceeds a predetermined value.

.6. A device for separating water andy gas from a mixture otwater7 Kgas and'oil as .pro-

duced by an oil well, comprising: l walls i forming a separating chamber 1n which said water .and .oil are allowed tostratify; and in fwhich said gas is allowed to escape from said liquids; ymeans'forwithdrawing oil .from said chamber .to maintain. ,the level thereof .Within .certain limits; wallsferming.

a chamber having its upper l`portion in open communication with the upper portion of said separating chamber.; a vrpipe in open communication with the lower portion of said separating chamber, said pipe projecting into said water outlet chamber to a point a little below the predetermined level of oil in said separating chamber; a water trap in open communication with the lower portion of said water outlet chamber; means in said trap for preventing gas from blowing through said trap;` and means in said trap for discharging water therefrom wheneversaid trap becomes lilled with water.

7. A device for separating water and gas from a mixture of water',` gas and oil aspro- "duced by an oil well7 comprising: walls forminga separating chamberin `which said 'water and oil are allowed to stratify, and `in vwhich said gas is allowed to 'escape YfromI said liquids; means for withdrawing oil from said chamber toy maintain the level thereof within certain limits; means for maintaining substantially the full pressure l of said wellv in 'said chambers the walls form*- inga chamber having its upper portion in' 5 pinta little below thepredetermined level of oil in said separatingv chamber; a water vtrapffor `dischargin y '5245 Wheneverf saidy trap comes lledk with trapinopencommunicationl with the lower portion of4 said water outlet "cliamber'g`meansv f in `said trapfor .preventing gas from blow# ing through ysaid trap ;k and means in said ywater therefrom water. y l n o a 8. A 'gas'andY water separator for vuse in connectionwith oil wells, comprising: walls ffforming a"chamber -into which' ai mixture gas from'y said chamber;y means for auto-` i oil `from saidj M `of oil,` `iii/"atenfand gas are deliveredfat `full 30 )water stratify and jsaidgas escapes from fwe11\`pressure,fan'd in which` said oil and said oil and water; means for withdrawing maticallyvj withdrawing u n p chamber inV suchamounts aste maintain an *l j Ically withdrawing waterfrom said chamber y in suchamounts as to maintain an approxi- 4o chamber. .y t p 9.1 A gas and water separator for use in mately constant4 level of 4said water said connectionwith oil wells, comprising: walls fforminga 'chamber intowliich a mixture fof oil, water,and gas? are `delivered at full well "pressure and in which oilandwater stratify j and saidgasescapes from said oil' and Qlwaterymeansfor withdrawing gas from fsaid chamber; "meansv forv automatically `withdrawing"loil from said chamber in such e being* amountsl as to\ maintain 'an `approximately constant level of said oil in saidY chamber; t

and' means I for I automatically withdrawingy VWaterI from said chamber in such amounts as to maintain an 'approximately constant level of said water in. said chamber, `said chambers.

means beingso arrangedl that substantially y j the full Well pressure vis maintained on said and Vgasiroimthe "oil produced by an` 'oil i well comprising` wallsforming ahigh presm -sure chamber; maintained under pressure,

in which a gravitational separationwtalres l place; means for withdrawing-foreign'mat- `ter fromrsaidl chamber; means ffor `withvdrawingfoil'` from said chamber and reducfing the pressurethereon; 'walls 'formingga `low wpressure chamberl intoiwhich` said oilyk l is delivered after the pressuref'is reduced" thereon, said low- 1p`ressure`7 chamber being maintainedy at a' substantially lower pressure thanfsaid high pressure 'chambergmeans for withdrawing oil from saidch'a'mber; and means for` withdrawing gas y or vaporfromt `said chamber. f V xv f i 11". A devicefor' Aremoving foreign matter and `gas from the "oil produced by; an' `oil "well comprising walls `forming a` highl prese` sure chamber, maintained underA pressure, l in which ay gravitational sep'arationtakes place means for withdrawing foreign matter from said chamber; means for"'withdrawing oil from ysavidchamberl :findreduc-` yf A 'fing the pressurefthereon'; andwalls `form.` "approximately constant level off'said oil' Yin said chamber; land means for automatiing valovv" pressure `chamber into which "said oil is delivered" `after the pressureis'ref` duced thereon', saidlow pressure chamber,`

, vmaintained atA a5 sure chamber; means inf'said low presseparate' *fromy the oil means for withdrawing `oil 'from said,chambergfandmeans for `withdravving gasor vapor fromsaidcham# ber. l .f

31st day y ofy October, 1921.

K substantially` lower pressure thanthefsaidhigh "prese" sure'chamber `for causinggas or vapor to f ifssiriiny L. "ciiitrnnil 

